How long does the Recognition Memory Test take?
About 5 to 7 minutes, as listed in the test library.
Episodic Memory
Recognition Memory Test
Measure old/new recognition accuracy, discriminability, and response bias with original browser-native word lists.
Useful for episodic memory, aging, intervention, and longitudinal studies that need recognition rather than free recall alone.
Free to start: 10 free participants per account, then $0.99 per participant for academic research, or any yearly plan. Preview any test free after you sign up.
Episodic memory5-7 minTimed: desktop or laptop with a mouse or trackpad
Study words
truckmuseumpianobridge
museum
OLD
NEW
HitsFalse alarms
Decide whether each item was studied
What this task measures
Measures episodic recognition by asking participants to identify studied words among matched new words.
Core constructs
- Episodic recognition memory
- Old/new discrimination
- Response bias
- Verbal memory
Research fit
- Episodic memory research
- Aging and intervention studies
- Longitudinal memory tracking
- Remote studies needing recognition endpoints
Paradigm overview
Recognition Memory measures episodic old/new discrimination after a study phase. Participants study an original word list, then judge each recognition item as previously seen or new.
The task separates hits, misses, false alarms, and correct rejections, allowing researchers to distinguish memory sensitivity from response bias. It reports accuracy, d-prime, response criterion, and reaction-time summaries for correct recognition responses.
Key scoring outputs
Recognition Accuracy
proportionProportion of old and new recognition trials answered correctly.
Higher is better
Hit Rate
proportionProportion of studied words correctly endorsed as old.
Higher is better
False Alarm Rate
proportionProportion of new words incorrectly endorsed as old.
Lower is better
Recognition d-prime
scoreSignal-detection estimate of old/new discrimination sensitivity.
Higher is better
Response Criterion
scoreSignal-detection estimate of old/new response bias.
Interpret relative to study design
Mean Hit RT
msMean reaction time for correctly recognized studied words.
Informational
Running this test
Settings you can change
| Setting | Standard | Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Studied words | 24 | 12 to 48 |
| New words | 24 | 12 to 48 |
| Study word duration (ms) | 1,500 | 800 to 4,000 |
| Recognition response window (ms) | 5,000 | 2,000 to 10,000 |
Yearly plans can change settings within these limits. Free and pay-as-you-go studies use the standard settings.
Need a setting this test does not have?
Devices and languages
- Timed test: participants need a desktop or laptop with a mouse or trackpad. Participant devices
- Task text: English and Italian.
- Available on: Every plan, including the free plan.
- Recruiting online? See the setup guides for Prolific, Sona Systems, CloudResearch Connect and Qualtrics.
Cite this test
Paradigm source: Signal detection theory; CERAD and RAVLT recognition paradigms.
ConductCognition versions: task version 1.1.0, scoring version 1.1.0. Every export records the versions each session used, for a methods section.
Source papers
Van der Elst W, van Boxtel MPJ, van Breukelen GJP, Jolles J (2005). Rey's verbal learning test: normative data for 1855 healthy participants aged 24-81 years.
N 185524-81
Stricker NH, Christianson TJ, Lundt ES, et al. (2021). Mayo Normative Studies: regression-based normative data for the Auditory Verbal Learning Test for ages 30-91 years and the importance of adjusting for sex. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 27(3):211-226.
Paradigm source30-91
Framingham Heart Study CERAD Word List normative data for younger- and middle-aged adults.
Paradigm sourceYounger and middle-aged adults
Research FAQ
Common questions about this online cognitive test
What device does a participant need?
Timed test: participants need a desktop or laptop with a mouse or trackpad. The browser must be Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
What scores does it produce?
Recognition Accuracy, Hit Rate, False Alarm Rate, Recognition d-prime, Response Criterion and Mean Hit RT. Each session is also marked valid, needs review or invalid, with the reason.
Which settings can a researcher change?
Studied words (12 to 48), new words (12 to 48), study word duration (ms) (800 to 4,000) and recognition response window (ms) (2,000 to 10,000). Settings can be changed on yearly plans; free and pay-as-you-go studies use the standard settings.
Which languages can participants use?
The test's own text is in English and Italian. Italian participant pages come with yearly plans.
Is this a clinical test?
No. ConductCognition is for research use only. It runs, scores and exports the test; clinical interpretation is outside the platform.
Every test: the full test list.
Run this test in your next study
Start free with 10 free participants on any test, then use participant credits or a yearly plan.